Guys, just stop arguing with hoichi. You are just talking in circles and this thread has run its course.
I believe the teacher is in the wrong and even if it might not be illegal, it is definitely unethical for a teacher to ask for such photos. You can lose your teaching license permanently for unethical behavior.
In the eyes of the law, a 17 year old is still considered a child. Those laws are meant to protect the naive teenagers from predators and thus must be followed, regardless of what your personal beliefs are about the 17 year old being a "child" or not.
Talking to hoichi is likened to talking to a brick wall.
You can talk until you're blue, but you are not going to convince him otherwise. Just let him go on and find out on his own through experience just what the law and courts say on this matter. Go ahead, hoichi, give it a try. You might be right or you might be wrong, but only one way to find out for sure, right?
Also, registered sex-offenders can't travel freely across state lines. They must let their officer know BEFORE they leave their state. If they choose to take up permanent residency in another state, the receiving state must approve it. Most times, they are denied unless it is a low-level offense and deemed a low-risk of re-offending. I know this because a friend of mine's ex-husband was released from prison and he was trying to move back to Illlinois. His application to move back to Chicago was denied. He is required to stay in Arkansas until he can get approved. Remember, as a registered sex-offender, all of his movements are being watched. Where he can live is greatly limited due to many cities banning sex-offenders.
The reason why he went to prison? He was having an incestuous relationship with his 15 year old step-daughter. The daughter did not even mention it to her own mother for a year because he had threatened to kill everyone in the family if she told anyone. He tried to say that the girl consented, but the courts saw it as a criminal offense and he was sentenced to prison.
Plain and simple, the girl was underage. The educator knew GOOD AND DAMN WELL what he was doing. They have specific courses and classes for this exact thing in accredited teacher education programs such as the one I am currently enrolled in.
Admins - it may be time to close this thread. Hoichi is attracting all kinds of attention to this forum and not the kind we members particularly want.